CVE-2018-5303 in Speedway Connect R420 RFID Reader
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on the Impinj Speedway Connect R420 RFID Reader before 2.2.2. The license key parameter of the web application is vulnerable to Cross Site Scripting; this vulnerability allows an attacker to send malicious code to another user.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2020
The CVE-2018-5303 vulnerability affects the Impinj Speedway Connect R420 RFID reader firmware version 2.2.1 and earlier, representing a critical cross site scripting flaw in the web application interface. This vulnerability specifically targets the license key parameter handling within the web application, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious scripts into the system. The flaw exists in the input validation and output encoding mechanisms of the web interface, where user-supplied license key data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. This allows an attacker to craft malicious license key values that contain embedded script code, which then executes in the context of other users' browsers when they interact with the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross site scripting flaws where web applications fail to properly validate or encode user input before including it in dynamically generated web pages. The attack vector specifically targets the web application's license key parameter processing, where unvalidated input flows directly into the HTML output without proper sanitization. This creates a persistent XSS vulnerability that can be exploited through various means including crafted license key entries, malicious web requests, or through social engineering to trick users into submitting malicious license key data. The vulnerability exists at the application layer and specifically impacts the web interface of the RFID reader, making it accessible to attackers who can reach the device through network connections.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, and potentially gain unauthorized access to the RFID reader system. When a user with appropriate privileges interacts with the affected interface, the malicious script code executes in their browser context, potentially allowing attackers to capture session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or modify the web interface to display fraudulent information. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for RFID reader deployments where the web interface is exposed to untrusted networks or where multiple administrators access the system through the same interface. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring physical access to the device, making it a significant threat to organizations relying on these readers for inventory management, access control, or asset tracking systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to version 2.2.2 or later, which address the XSS vulnerability through proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to the RFID reader web interface to authorized personnel only, while also applying web application firewalls to filter malicious requests. Additionally, administrators should regularly audit license key parameters and implement strict input validation policies that reject potentially malicious content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security practices in embedded web applications, particularly those handling sensitive operational data in industrial environments. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous license key entries that might indicate exploitation attempts, and establish incident response procedures for handling potential XSS attacks targeting their RFID infrastructure.